Incident Overview
A pilot flying a PA-28-161 reported a tree strike while conducting a straight-in visual approach to runway 19 under night conditions described as "very dark." The runway, 4,998 feet long and 150 feet wide, was asphalt and equipped with high intensity edge lights, which the pilot activated.
Approach and Events
According to the pilot, the precision approach path indicator (PAPI) displayed two white and two red lights, indicating a good glide slope, and the altimeter showed 1,000 feet mean sea level (msl) when the airplane was approximately 2 miles north of the airport. The pilot stated that he did not consult the altimeter or PAPI again and did not turn on the landing light.
About half a mile from the airport, the pilot observed car headlights on a road just before the airport fence. Shortly thereafter, he heard a loud bang and felt an impact with trees on the right wing. In response, the pilot applied full power and pulled back on the yoke, causing the airplane to roll right. He managed to climb and achieve wings-level flight by applying full left aileron. Subsequently, the pilot flew a traffic pattern and landed using heavy left aileron and rudder inputs.
Damage and Weather
Post-landing inspection revealed substantial damage to the right wing. The reported weather at the airport near the time of the incident included a broken ceiling at 400 feet, wind from 190 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 16 knots, and an altimeter setting of 29.82 inches of mercury.
Probable Cause
No probable cause was stated in the source.